A New Tradition is Born with Top Schoolhouse Graduates in Augusta Awarded Our Circuit Board Coin

For decades, a prominent tradition within the American military culture has been the recognition of excellence with a presentation of some gift or token of appreciation. One of the most prestigious and enduring symbols of recognition in the military community is the challenge coin. Today, military leaders use these coins to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and commitment of uniformed service members and their civilian counterparts. Challenge coins come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs, often displaying a unit's motto, crest, or insignia. Now, even non-military organizations, such as government agencies, local municipalities, and fire departments, adopted the tradition of challenge coins as a way to reward individuals who go above and beyond in their service.

Receiving a challenge coin is a significant honor, symbolizing respect and appreciation from leadership. For many, it is a humbling experience that reinforces their sense of responsibility and dedication to their career. In some cases, earning a challenge coin can serve as a powerful motivator, inspiring a member of the military to extend their service or push beyond perceived limitations in pursuit of excellence.

The Military Cyber Professionals Association (MCPA) is no exception to this tradition. The MCPA sought to create something unique that truly represents our military cyber community. Cyber professionals, myself included, may be known for being a little quirky, cerebrally inclined, and deeply passionate about technology and science. With this in mind, we set out to design a new kind of challenge coin that would not only honor tradition but also introduce an innovative twist.

Countless hours of prototyping, engineering, and logistical planning went into developing the MCPA coin we have today. This coin is unlike any other—it is designed, fabricated, and assembled entirely in the U.S. by engineers dedicated to making it the most sustainable and relevant challenge coin possible. Too often, unfortunately, the challenge coins awarded within the US military may be purchased from American companies but are actually made overseas and likely in an adversarial country. Taking a fresh approach to challenging coins, we knew we could do better and we owed that to our fellow Americans. The coin incorporates several unique features, including a standard SAO (Simple Add-On) connector, commonly used at conferences such as DEF CON, a single LED that shines through the printed circuit board (PCB), and the MCPA crest.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the MCPA cyber coin is that it is expandable by the owner as a do-it-yourself (DIY) learning opportunity. This interactive feature allows recipients to engage in a hands-on educational experience by adding components themselves. The process introduces an additional layer of meaning, as recipients gain an opportunity to learn or refine the skill of soldering. While the coin is impressive as a standalone item, it becomes even more striking once enhanced. A comprehensive guide on how to assemble applicable components can be found here, providing step-by-step instructions for a smooth and rewarding assembly process. With only three essential parts required, the process is simple and accessible, even for beginners.

The initial batch of MCPA PCB coins, presented to each participant of the 2024 Annual Dinner Meeting of the MCPA Board of Advisors, were a general usage design including images associated with each branch of the U.S. military. However, in coordination with the 401st Cyber Battalion and the U.S. Army Cyber School at Fort Eisenhower, the MCPA has enabled a new tradition. Beginning with the Cyber Operations Specialist Class graduation earlier this year, a MCPA PCB coin designed specifically for the schoolhouse is being presented to the distinguished graduate of each cyber course at each level. 

Due to the efficient coin design approach to minimize cost and the support of donors to the MCPA as a charity, the MCPA is happy to provide this benefit to our most excellent service members. As a thoroughly joint organization, the MCPA stands ready to provide the same support for those in the equivalent training programs in the other services. If your U.S. military cyber organization is interested in integrating this practice into your processes, please let us know. 

Building off of the success of the PCB access badge to HammerCon 2024 and the associated coins presented to speakers, the coins referenced in this article are compatible with the HammerCon 2025 access badge once expanded with the SAO interface mentioned above. Like last year, Capitol Technology University will provide a soldering station to help attendees learn and upgrade their coins under the roof of the prestigious Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) on 26 June 2025. A limited number of coins will be available at HammerCon 2025, empowering leaders to recognize those deserving personnel on the spot. I will discuss some of the above in my HammerCon 2025 presentation and will be available all day for those interested in learning more.

Ultimately, these coins are more than just a token of appreciation — they are a tribute to the overall cyber mission area and the contributions of individuals within this community. Each batch of coins is prepared with a specific purpose in mind, reflecting the mission, unit, or event it is associated with. Whether as a reward for outstanding performance, a mark of membership, or a source of motivation, the MCPA challenge coin embodies the values and spirit of military cyber professionals. It stands as a testament to innovation, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence within this ever-evolving domain.

Magazine Home | About CYBER | Author Guide | Masthead | Archive Articles